Posted on 06/26/2011 7:35:17 AM PDT by freespirited
Of the early potential Democratic contenders, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley says he supports gay marriage but stopped short of making a major push for the legislation earlier in the year, while Virginia Sen. Mark Warner is opposed. Hillary Clinton, if she runs, would still have her commitment to civil unions but not gay marriage from the 2008 race hanging over her — and at least until the end of next year, when she’s said she’ll be done at the State Department, she won’t be able to make any new comments on the issue.
“It gives him an authenticity and a strength with progressives that will provide a real base — not just gays, but progressives in general. Other people can say they’re for same sex marriage, he got it done,” said Democratic political consultant Bob Shrum. “I think it will always now be a hallmark of his political persona.”
Cuomo’s push on gay marriage wasn’t in a vacuum — it came at the end of a tough legislative session when New York progressives were forced to swallow major budget cuts, tough on unions rhetoric and a refusal to even consider renewing the state’s expired millionaire’s tax.
That’s part of the persona he’s crafting too, as Cuomo sets himself up as a governor who’s pushed the party to the left on social issues and toward the center-right on economic issues. It’s a message with both primary and general election appeal, though being so far out-front on gay marriage could be a problem in a November national election.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Heck, we see Obama, who we know favors homosexual marriage privately, is afraid to say so publicly. I don’t think that being in favor of homosexual marriage is a winning political issue.
Someday, Cuomo may get a Profiles in Courage award, as future generations of liberals look back on the battle over homosexual marriage, and say he was a leader, took an unpopular stand because he felt it was right, yadda, yadda, yadda. But I think we’re decades away from that Profiles in Courage award ceremony.
Sounds good to me. Our candidate might win 49 out of the 57 states.
Correct. I wonder if the new book "Reckless Endangerment" describes his role.
Perhaps that's why he's paddling so hard in the direction of "civil rights issues" like gay marriage. Trying to avoid hearings on economy bust of '08 ultimately headed his way?
First, gay marriage. Then we go after the churches!
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
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